Intercomparison of Different Agrochemicals (Herbicides) and Manual Methods of Weed Control on Weed Population and Weed Control Efficiency in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop in Himachal Pradesh Dist

Aims: A research study entitled Intercomparison of different Agrochemicals (Herbicides) and manual methods of weed control on weed population and weed control efficiency in wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) in Himachal Pradesh district Mandi.

Study Design: The experiment was designed using a Randomized Block design method.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of agronomy, School of Agriculture, Abhilashi university, Chail Chowk, Mandi, (H.P.) during the Rabi season of 2022-23.

Methodology: The field trail was conducted with eight treatments and replicated thrice. The investigation included eight different weed control techniques i.e. T1 -weedy check, T2 - weed free, T3 - hand weeding at 30 DAS, T4 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + Sulfosulfuron @ 0.02 kg a.i. ha-1 at 30 DAS,T5 - Pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1(P.E) + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 50 gm a.i ha-1 (PoE at 25 DAS) + one hand weeding, T6 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1, T7 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + one hand weeding at 30 DAS, T8 - 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + two hand weeding at 30 and 45 DAS.

Results: The investigation found that the most effective ways to control weeds are by keeping the area completely weed free by using pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1(P.E) + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 50 gm a.i ha-1(PoE at 25 DAS) + one Hand weeding (Treatment T2) was found the most successful in terms of achieving the lowest weed density and highest weed control efficiency. Application of pendimethalin

@ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1(P.E) + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 50 gm a.i ha-1 (PoE at 25 DAS) + one hand weeding was found to be better than using herbicides to reduce weed infestation in wheat crops.

Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that integrated weed management practices weed-free treatment was the most effective option for managing weeds in wheat.